Cubs get Freddie Bynum for John Koronka

[srbin84]

Nice trade, he reminds me of Willie Harris...not a bad player to have around.

[CubsWin]

Here is an interesting side note to the Bynum acquisition...

 

Cubs.com[/url]"]"Pagan has really come on so well," Hendry said. "That gives Dusty a chance to maybe use Pagan in situations against lefties or off the bench against lefties, and then you've still got an athlete like Freddie now that you can do double-switches with and hit left-handed with and pinch-run with.

The part I found interesting was when Hendry distinguished between Pagan playing "against lefties or (coming) off the bench against lefties" which would seem to say that Hendry is envisioning Pagan platooning some with Jones in RF.

[CubsWin]

The Cubs scouts and Hendry are really putting themselves on the spot this season. They have specifically said to the press that the scouts believe Jones can return to his previous form. They named Marshall their 4th starter. They acquired guys who other teams were ready to give up on, like Pagan and Bynum (though Bynum to a lesser extent), and are placing them on the 25-man roster.

 

All told, they are starting essentially two rookies, in Murton and Cedeno, though they are both technically not rookies, handing the 4th starter spot to a rookie who has only pitched 4 games above High A ball, and handing two bench spots (one a possible platoon player) to rookies on a team who's manager is known for playing his bench players quite often. That sounds pretty risky to me. Let's see how well the scouts and Hendry have done their jobs.

[NorthsideAvenger]

I think I like Bynum a lot more than Macias, but this move ranks at about a .5 out of a possible 10 in significance.

 

Wasn't Bynum's deal that he was out of options?

 

I don't think that is a fair assessment of Bynum, to being compare to Macias. Everybody and their mama's knew Macias WAS NOT ML caliber, and where Macias RARELY produces anything of note, I suspect that Bynum produces more often (cause of his unique ability to ACTUALLY take a walk) then Macias. So, I don't think Bynum to Macias is a fair comparasion.

[UK1679666180]

For Bynum to be an asset, he's going to have to learn how to make more contact. He doesn't have the power to be an effective pinch-hitter off the bench that can tie a game w/one swing and doesn't have the ability to start a rally.

 

His best asset is his speed, the Cubs have enough versatility as it is, especially if carry 14 players.

 

Mabry can play the OF, 1B, 3B. Perez can play the 5, 6, 4. Hairston can play 2B or the OF.

 

If there was a battle for a utility spot, I would hope that Fontenot would get it over Bynum b/c he has the better bat and with Pagan, Hairston, and Perez, the need for a pinch runner isn't needed much.

 

Of course, the Cubs gave up little to get him.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

While I'm not overly thrilled about Bynum, I'm not heartbroken over losing Koronka. I'm not sure we got anything of value, but we didn't give up anything of value either.

[TrueBlueCubFan]

Bynum was tearing it up this ST for the A's. Let's hope this carries over to the season.

[BigbadB]

I think I like Bynum a lot more than Macias, but this move ranks at about a .5 out of a possible 10 in significance.

 

Wasn't Bynum's deal that he was out of options?

 

I don't think that is a fair assessment of Bynum, to being compare to Macias. Everybody and their mama's knew Macias WAS NOT ML caliber, and where Macias RARELY produces anything of note, I suspect that Bynum produces more often (cause of his unique ability to ACTUALLY take a walk) then Macias. So, I don't think Bynum to Macias is a fair comparasion.

 

Comparisons? I didn't make any comparisons. I said that I like Bynum more than Macias, and I made that comment mainly because both were basically the 25th man.

[biittner77]

Perhaps this means that Hairston will be moved next. With Pagan making the team they don't need Hairston as a backup CF, with Perez and Bynum on the team they don't need him as a back up 2nd baseman. Bynum is more versatile and therefore a better bench option than Hairston.

 

Could Hairston net a low level but decent prospect?

[wastra]

We might have the most versatile bench we've had in my lifetime.

 

Mabry: 1B, 3B, LF, RF

Perez: 2B, SS, 3B

Hairston: 2B, LF, RF, CF

Pagan, LF, RF

Bynum: 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF

 

 

Our only totally one-dimensional backup is Blanco, and I think that's understandable. I would have liked a more powerful right-handed bat off the bench, but if Bynum continue to make contact like he has this spring, he can be a very valuable asset. Given that our outfield defense is looking pretty weak, I don't mind some speedy outfield defensive replacements with a couple offensive tools as well.

[Soul]

We got something for Koronka??

 

 

*dances a jig*

[XZero771679666304]

We might have the most versatile bench we've had in my lifetime.

 

Mabry: 1B, 3B, LF, RF

Perez: 2B, SS, 3B

Hairston: 2B, LF, RF, CF

Pagan, LF, RF

Bynum: 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF

 

 

Our only totally one-dimensional backup is Blanco, and I think that's understandable. I would have liked a more powerful right-handed bat off the bench, but if Bynum continue to make contact like he has this spring, he can be a very valuable asset. Given that our outfield defense is looking pretty weak, I don't mind some speedy outfield defensive replacements with a couple offensive tools as well.

 

Pagan plays CF as well.

[wastra]

We might have the most versatile bench we've had in my lifetime.

 

Mabry: 1B, 3B, LF, RF

Perez: 2B, SS, 3B

Hairston: 2B, LF, RF, CF

Pagan, LF, RF

Bynum: 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF

 

 

Our only totally one-dimensional backup is Blanco, and I think that's understandable. I would have liked a more powerful right-handed bat off the bench, but if Bynum continue to make contact like he has this spring, he can be a very valuable asset. Given that our outfield defense is looking pretty weak, I don't mind some speedy outfield defensive replacements with a couple offensive tools as well.

 

Pagan plays CF as well.

 

I knew that, don't know why it slipped my mind. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Anyone else think Prior, Wood, and Zambrano might be our best bench bats aside from Mabry? :shock: :wink: :P

[Soul]

We might have the most versatile bench we've had in my lifetime.

 

Mabry: 1B, 3B, LF, RF

Perez: 2B, SS, 3B

Hairston: 2B, LF, RF, CF

Pagan, LF, RF

Bynum: 2B, SS, LF, CF, RF

 

 

Our only totally one-dimensional backup is Blanco, and I think that's understandable. I would have liked a more powerful right-handed bat off the bench, but if Bynum continue to make contact like he has this spring, he can be a very valuable asset. Given that our outfield defense is looking pretty weak, I don't mind some speedy outfield defensive replacements with a couple offensive tools as well.

 

Pagan plays CF as well.

 

I knew that, don't know why it slipped my mind. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Anyone else think Prior, Wood, and Zambrano might be our best bench bats aside from Mabry? :shock: :wink: :P

 

:shock: That better not be true. One of these guys has got to be at LEAST better than Macias.

[Monco]

Cubs are also giving cash or a ptbnl.Rangers are going to stretch him out with some sim games so he can start.

 

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060331&content_id=1379361&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

[sweetpeteman]

Cubs are also giving cash or a ptbnl.Rangers are going to stretch him out with some sim games so he can start.

 

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060331&content_id=1379361&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

 

 

Good luck with that...

 

he's going to get crushed in Texas...

[Monco]

Cubs are also giving cash or a ptbnl.Rangers are going to stretch him out with some sim games so he can start.

 

http://texas.rangers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060331&content_id=1379361&vkey=news_tex&fext=.jsp&c_id=tex

 

 

Good luck with that...

 

he's going to get crushed in Texas...

 

And we thought our rotation has problems.

[anemic offense]

Why did the Rangers want Konk? Why would anyone want Konk?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I can't believe that Koronka is the best they could do. It's just impossible.

[Blueheart05]

I can't believe anyone would be disappointed about anything Hendry would get for Koronka. Most people here thought he should have been outright released off the 40 man in the offseason. I made my one visit to Wrigley last year and was lucky enough to see the classic Koronka vs. Willis duel. Aaah, the precious memories of the Kornonka era in Chicago.

It has nothing to do with Koronka. It's that we have six middle infielders on the active roster and something has to give.

 

And it better not be Walker.

 

It was Theriot if not Bynum so the overall 25 man roster mix does not change much.

I don't believe there's any need to have another middle infielder in the system, including as backup for the big league team. And Theriot was only going to be on the team until they added another pitcher (most likely when Wood was going to be actived). There wouldn't be a need to carry Bynum, Neifi, and Hairston throughout the season. If nobody else gets moved, this doesn't make much sense to me.

 

Bynum was added to the 40-man on Cubs.com. Does anyone remember Hairston being listed as an outfielder before?

 

Yes, when I looked at the list last week Hairston was listed as an OF.

[bhogg]

It's these sort of moves that royally screw up my Cub roster in my MVP Baseball season ;)

[srbin84]

I think I'm gonna go practice throwing some balls left handed in my back yard tomorrow.

[DiamondMind]

I think I'm gonna go practice throwing some balls left handed in my back yard tomorrow.

 

You and me both.